Method of positioning and aligning structures in aqueous bodies



July 24, 1928. 1,678,127

' F. B. 'SMITH METHOD OF POSITIONING AND ALIGNING STRUCTURES IN AQUEOUS BODIES Filed March 51, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l AT TORNEY July 24, 1928. I 1,678,127

F. B. SMITH METHOD OF POSITIONING AND ALIGNING STRUCTURES IN AQUEOUS BODIES Filed Marc 51, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY:

Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS BETTS SMITH, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

Application filed March 31, .1926. Serial No. 98,854. i

This invention relates primarily to a structure, its foundation, and the method of submerging the same and aligning it, if nec essary, with previously submerged and aligned sect-ions in aqueous bodies.

The invention consists primarily in providing a form of body and foundation block relatively to which the same is supported when submerged and which body and foundation block are associated in such manner as to render their submergence a relatively easy matter. The invention further consists in utilizing the foundation blocks to overcome the buoyancy of the structure while suspended therefrom, the structure being of itself buoyant when the foundation blocks rest on a base, there being provided adjustable connectionsv between the foundation blocks and structures, enabling the positioning of the structure to line and level while floating relatively to the foundation blocks resting on the bed.

The invention consists further in the simple method employed for quickly and readily sub'merging and bending the bodies and.

blocks accurately to line and level and at relatively little cost in the comparison with the complicated methods now in use.

In the drawings, disclosing one embodiment of my invention i Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a tubular structure of a size to be employed as a subway, there being illustrated, adju stably suspended therefrom at its ends, suitable foundation blocks and removable and closing means to enable the tubular'structure to be maintained buoyant.

Fig. 2 is a view-in perspective of two sec-' tions of the structure after the same have been submerged and aligned to line and level on a prepared bed and prior to the rendering of the last section non-buoyant and the bedding thereof. a

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation, particularly in section, of the end joint connection between two sections, illustrating the adjustable turn buckle connections.

Fig. 4 is an end view of one of the tubular structures, disclosing the foundation blocks suspending therefrom and the manner of adjustably uniting the same to the end flanges of the structure. i

In the drawings, wherein is disclosed the embodiment of the invention as applied to a tubular structure the numeral 1 indicates a body preferably of elongated tubular form,

in the present instance the same bein'gof which are increased in thickness at 3 and extend transversely beneath the structure 1. The positioning of the end flanges 2 in- ,.wardly of the terminal ends of the structure 1 affords an end extension at projecting beyond the outer face of the respective flanges 2.

Suspended beneath eachend flange2 is a foundation structure, illustrated in the present invention, aslconsisting of duplicate blocks 5, arranged in end to end relation, parallel with the underface of the thickened portion 3 of the end flange 2. Each of these foundation blocks 5 is suspended from the underface of the flange 2 by adjustable turn buckle connections 6, conventionally illustrated, the opposite ends of the turn buckle connections being secured respectively to the eye members 7 and 8 carried respectively by the end flanges 2 and foundation blocks 5. Adjustable lateral guys 9 are provided for adjusting the ends of the structure longitudinally of the foundation blocks. The end flanges 2 are also provided with eyes 10 adapted to oppose each other on the setting of aligned sections, as in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and to be united by adjustable turn buckle connections 11.

After successive structures have been submerged and aligned to line and level by a method hereinafter described. suitable forms 12 unite the opposing vertical edges of adjaccnt'flanges 2,1 as in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and enable concrete or other sealing medium 13 to be poured to enclose and seal the joint connection between adjacent structures.

In submerging and positioning the structures to line and levelwithin aqueous bodies, the following-method is preferred A foundation or sub-grade is preferably prepared to receive the structure sections and this may be prepared within a reasonable degree of accuracy, either :by straight edging brokenstone by means of a girder or 2 Lei 8,127

by driving piles and cutting them off, the

cut ends to afford a support for the structure foundation blocks. I

The ends of the tubular structure 1 are then closed by suitable removable end walls 14 to provide air chambers within the structures, maintaining the same buoyant.

To the bottom edges of the end flanges 2 are then suspended the foundation blocks 5 which are of a combined weight sufficient with the aid of a ballast within the structure 1 to overcome the buoyancy of the structure and to cause a sinking tl1ereof within the aqueous body within which the structure is to be submerged by suitable derricks, tackle and rigging. The buoyant structure is towed to overlie its position of submergence and when approximately overlying such position, the same is lowered or allowed to sink, instruments not shown being employed to maintain the same generally on line and level. As the foundation blocks 5 rest on the straight edged rock surfaces 15, overlying the back fill 16 of hard material, the release of the weight thereof renders the structure buoyant and the same floats,- straining on the adjustable connections 6 and 9.

With the endof the structure positioned to coact with the end of the previously submerged or positioned structure with which it is to align, the adjustable connectionsG and 9 are tightened or loosened, as the'case may be, to align the buoyant section to line and level. 7

When this is accomplished the wedgesor other supports 17 are positioned between the lower edge of the flange 2 and the upper surface of the foundation blocks 5 to hold the two in the desired position. The adjustable connections 11 between corresponding ends of adjacent structures are then tightened and the submerged structure is in a position to be bedded in suitable bedding material, such as broken stone and the like,

to be positioned around the same.

As previously described, the end joints of the adjacent sections are sealed and made water proof and, if necessary, material is tamped in or filled in between the lower edge of the end flanges and the upper surface of the foundation blocks. After these opera tions are completed, the structure is rendered non-buoyant by releasing the air confined therein, in any suitable manner.

While this invention has been illustrated and described in this application in connec tion with a tubular body with its ends closed to provide a buoyant body, it is to be understood that the same is adapted for use in the positioning or floating boX caissons in their use-in the construction of breakwaters and sea walls.

It is to be understood that while I describethe structureemployed in the present" dered buoyant with foundation members adjustably suspended therefrom which overcomethe buoyancy thereof :while suspended with the foundation members resting on the bed and maintaining the structure submer ed ad'ustin the sus aension connections to properly position the structure to line. and level, and bedding the positioned structure.

QFThe method of submerglng and aligning structures in aqueous bod1es,wh1ch consists in lowering a buoyant structure with foundation members adjustably suspended therefrom, Which overcome its buoyancy on to a prepared bed with the foundation membersresting on the bed and maintaining the structure submerged, adjusting the sus pension connections to properly position the structure relatively to thebed and foundation -meinbers, bedding the positioned structure, and thereafter rendering the same non-buoyant. f

3. The method of submergingand aligning structures in aqueous bodies, which consists in preparing a bed to support the strucs ture, rendering the structure buoyant, adjustably securing to the structure foundation members of sufficient weight to'overcome the buoyancy'of the structure, lowering the. structure with its foundation members on to the prepared bed, with the foundation members resting thereon with the structure 'remannng buoyant, adjusting the connections between the structure and foundation members to position the structure to line and level, bedding the structure, and thereafter rendering the structure nonbuoya-nt.

4. The method of submerging and aligning structures in aqueous bodies which consists in lowering on to a bed foundation blocks connected through adjustable connections with a buoyant structure, the foun dation blocks being of suiiicient weight to overcome the buoyancy of the structure, adjusting the structure and foundation connections to position the structure to line and level, and bedding the structure.

5. The method of submerging and aligning structures in aqueous bodies which consists in lowering on to a bed foundation blocks connected through adjustable connections with -a'buoyant structure,the foundation blocks being of sufiicient weight to overcome the buoyancy of the structure, adjusting thestructure and foundation connections to position the structure to 'li-nea-nd level,

rendering the structure non-buoyant, and

bedding the structure.

6. A structure'for submerging 1n aqueous bodies, comprising a body having founda tion blocks suspended therefrom, and adjustable connections between the respective foundation blocks and the body.

7. A structure for submerging in aqueous bodies, comprising a body having foundation blocks suspended therefrom and disposed transversely beneath the same near its opposite ends, adjustable connections between the respective foundation blocks and the body whereby relative adjustment .be-

tween the foundation blocks and the body 15 may be obtained.

8.. A structure for submerging in aqueous bodies, comprising a tubular body having radial flanges extended therefrom inwardly ofits opposite ends, a foundation block suspended froin the underside of each end flange, and adjustable connections uniting the foundation blocks to the respective end flanges.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 25 name to this specification.

FRANCIS BETTS SMITH. 

